US Defense chief criticizes China on South China Sea

SINGAPORE—Pentagon chief Jim Mattis said Saturday that North Korea posed a global threat and praised China’s efforts to influence Pyongyang, while also criticizing Beijing over its continued “militarization” of the South China Sea.

President Donald Trump — who frequently denounced China on the campaign trail — has turned to Beijing to help rein in North Korea’s weapons program, prompting concerns among Asian allies that America might go easy on the South China Sea issue.

Calling North Korea’s nuclear ambitions a “threat to us all,” Mattis said the international community must work together.